I’d mildly disagree with Jim - if you’d been just one story behind I’d have gone cold too, but this... I’m not sure I’d suggest watching it as it’s often so raw, but it’s quite possibly the most eloquent and personal thing Steven’s written: as you point out, he strips back all his and the Doctor’s tricks as they’re useless in the face of something as all-encompassing as grief. Other stories are probably better Doctor Who, but this is something of extraordinary emotional heft. And I think this is stronger for Moffat’s stories often distorting themselves to avoid deaths and his Doctor’s fear of endings: it’s almost a thematic capstone to that undercurrent. It’s also an answer to the question ‘what bloody use is the Doctor in the face of real world tragedy?’ which finds a meaning without ever being trite about it.
Also *they put this out in prime time after Strictly on a Saturday night*.
As a coda to all that... I wrote a story for a War Doctor charity anthology in 2014 which riffed off pretty similar ideas, and a few friends have remarked on some plot similarities. I disagree though, it’s just two old fanboys working out what a Time Lord torture chamber would be. This feels like it’s using Doctor Who to tell a bigger, deeper, more truthful story: where Doctor Who usually hijacks other stories this feels like some older story that needed to be told hijacking the series.
Anyway, just wanted to say what an extraordinary piece this is: take care of yourself.
Oh Jonn. I’m so very sorry to hear about Agnes. Just the two seconds as you proudly introduced her as I drove by you in the cab the other week were enough to know how proud you were to introduce her as your partner and how you loved her. I know people who know you much better than I will be looking after you and there’s little I can do to help, but if and when the time comes when chatting shit about nerd stuff over a pint or two will help for a short time, I will come running. My deepest condolences.
This was so moving to read. In your reflections both on here and on Twitter I've come to appreciate an already profound episode even more.
I'm really sorry for your loss. Agnes sounds like she was wonderful, and I can only imagine the full extent of what you're going through and how much has changed for you so suddenly.
And I appreciate you still sharing what I suspect was quite a painful review to finish off, even at this difficult time.
I’d mildly disagree with Jim - if you’d been just one story behind I’d have gone cold too, but this... I’m not sure I’d suggest watching it as it’s often so raw, but it’s quite possibly the most eloquent and personal thing Steven’s written: as you point out, he strips back all his and the Doctor’s tricks as they’re useless in the face of something as all-encompassing as grief. Other stories are probably better Doctor Who, but this is something of extraordinary emotional heft. And I think this is stronger for Moffat’s stories often distorting themselves to avoid deaths and his Doctor’s fear of endings: it’s almost a thematic capstone to that undercurrent. It’s also an answer to the question ‘what bloody use is the Doctor in the face of real world tragedy?’ which finds a meaning without ever being trite about it.
Also *they put this out in prime time after Strictly on a Saturday night*.
As a coda to all that... I wrote a story for a War Doctor charity anthology in 2014 which riffed off pretty similar ideas, and a few friends have remarked on some plot similarities. I disagree though, it’s just two old fanboys working out what a Time Lord torture chamber would be. This feels like it’s using Doctor Who to tell a bigger, deeper, more truthful story: where Doctor Who usually hijacks other stories this feels like some older story that needed to be told hijacking the series.
Anyway, just wanted to say what an extraordinary piece this is: take care of yourself.
Oh Jonn. I’m so very sorry to hear about Agnes. Just the two seconds as you proudly introduced her as I drove by you in the cab the other week were enough to know how proud you were to introduce her as your partner and how you loved her. I know people who know you much better than I will be looking after you and there’s little I can do to help, but if and when the time comes when chatting shit about nerd stuff over a pint or two will help for a short time, I will come running. My deepest condolences.
Very sorry indeed for your loss, Jonn.
A beautiful piece of writing about a beautiful piece of television. So sorry for your loss, Jonn.
Beautifully written and so sorry for your loss.
This was so moving to read. In your reflections both on here and on Twitter I've come to appreciate an already profound episode even more.
I'm really sorry for your loss. Agnes sounds like she was wonderful, and I can only imagine the full extent of what you're going through and how much has changed for you so suddenly.
And I appreciate you still sharing what I suspect was quite a painful review to finish off, even at this difficult time.
Also, I had not considered the shovel.
So very sorry for your loss. xo
So very sorry for your loss, Jonn. This is a magnificent review.